Geranium plant named ‘Tospresilreim’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Tospresilreim’, characterized by its semi-double type, bright red-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage with zonation, and moderately vigorous, compact, upright-mounded growth habit, is disclosed.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Pelargonium x hortorum.

Variety denomination: ‘Tospresilreim’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant botanically known as Pelargonium x hortorum and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Tospresilreim’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, the Netherlands during August 2014. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Geranium cultivars with semi-double type flowers having dark green-colored foliage, and a moderately vigorous, compact, upright-mounded growth habit.

The new Geranium cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is Allure Scarlet ‘Ballurscim’, not patented, characterized by its semi-double type, medium scarlet-red colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage with zonation, and vigorous, upright-mounded growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is Bernd ‘Toscabernd’, also sold as Presto Dark Red ‘Tospresdared’, not patented, characterized by its semi-double type, dark burgundy-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage having zonation, low vigor and an upright-mounded growth habit. The new cultivar was selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during May 2015 in a controlled environment in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since May 2015 in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, the Netherlands and Arroyo Grande, Calif. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Tospresilreim’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant:

-   -   1. Semi-double type, bright red-colored flowers;     -   2. Dark green-colored foliage with zonation; and     -   3. Moderately vigorous, compact, upright-mounded growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in having a darker shade of red-colored flowers, darker green-colored foliage, less growth vigor and more compact growth habit. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the male parent primarily in having dark red-colored flowers, more branches per plant, and increased growth vigor.

Of the many commercially available Geranium cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is Presto Brilliant Red ‘KLEPZ08224’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,085. However, in comparison, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘KLEPZ08224’ in at least the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar more petals per flower than plants         of ‘KLEPZ08224’;     -   2. Plants of the new cultivar are taller and wider than plants         of ‘KLEPZ08224’; and     -   3. Plants of the new cultivar have a darker colored leaf         zonation than plants of ‘KLEPZ08224’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘Tospresilreim’. The approximately 13-week-old plants were grown in 4.5-inch pots for approximately 9 weeks in a greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill. Plants were given one pinch two weeks before transplant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habit of ‘Tospresilreim’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual umbel of ‘Tospresilreim’.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of an individual leaf of ‘Tospresilreim’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined in January 2020 under natural light conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe approximately 13-week-old plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown in a glass-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 4.5-inch pots for approximately 9 weeks utilizing a soilless growth medium. Plants were given one pinch two weeks before transplant. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 67° F. to 72° F. (19° C. to 22° C.) during the day and approximately 65° F. to 68° F. (18° C. to 20° C.) during the night. Supplemental lighting was used. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants. Supplemental lighting was used. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.

-   Botanical classification: Pelargonium x hortorum ‘Tospresilreim’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Allure Scarlet ‘Ballurscim’, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Bernd ‘Toscabernd’, also sold as Presto Dark             Red ‘Tospresdared’, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 9 to 12 days.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 24 to 28             days.         -   Root description.—Fibrous.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching. -   Plant description:     -   -   Commercial crop lime.—Approximately 8 to 9 weeks from a             rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.         -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Moderately vigorous,             compact, upright-mounded.         -   Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane:             Approximately 22.0 cm. Height from soil level to top of             foliage: Approximately 17.0 cm. Width: Approximately 33.0             cm.         -   Branching habit.—Freely basal branching. Quantity of main             branches per plant: Approximately 4.         -   Branch.—Strength: Strong. Length: Approximately 8.5 cm.             Diameter: Approximately 7.0 mm. Length of central internode:             Approximately 9.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a             mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:             25D and colorless, transparent. Color of young and mature             stem: 146B. -   Foliage description:     -   -   General description.—Quantity of leaves per lateral branch:             Approximately 10. Fragrance: Moderate. Form: Simple.             Arrangement: Opposite.         -   Leaves.—Aspect: Petiole is at an acute angle to stem, blade             is primarily perpendicular to stem. Shape: Reniform. Margin:             Bicrenate, palmately lobed, slightly wavy. Apex: Obtuse.             Base: Cordate. Venation pattern: Palmate. Length of mature             leaf: Approximately 9.0 cm. Width of mature leaf:             Approximately 9.5 cm. Texture of upper and lower surfaces:             Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and             nonglandular hairs. Gland color: 25D and colorless,             transparent. Color of upper surface of young foliage:             Closest to 137A with an overlay of N187A on zonal area,             venation of 146B. Color of lower surface of young foliage:             147B with venation of 146D. Color of upper surface of mature             foliage: Closest to NN137A with an overlay of N187A on zonal             area, venation of 146B. Color of lower surface of mature             foliage: Closest to 147B with venation of 146D.         -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 7.5 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 3.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a             mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:             25D and colorless, transparent. Color: 146B. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Tospresilreim’ is freely flowering under             outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous             blooming from spring through autumn and year-round in             greenhouse environment.         -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately             12 to 14 days. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   General description.—Type: Umbel, semi-spherical. Positioned             above foliage. Quantity of fully open umbels per plant:             Approximately 2. Quantity of developing umbels per plant:             Approximately: 1. Fragrance: None detected. Length or             height: Approximately 6.0 cm. Width: Approximately 10.0 cm.             Quantity of fully open flowers per inflorescence:             Approximately 10.         -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect. Length:             Approximately 12.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm.             Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and             nonglandular hairs. Gland color: 25D and colorless,             transparent. Color: 146A tinted with 187A. -   Flower description:     -   -   General description.—Type: Semi-double.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 3 to 4 days for bud to             progress from first color to fully open flower.         -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Elliptic. Length:             Approximately 1.3 cm. Width: Approximately 8.0 mm. Sepal             texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and             nonglandular hairs. Gland color: 25D and colorless,             transparent. Petal texture: Glabrous. Petal color: 44A.         -   Corolla.—Shape: Round. Diameter: Approximately 5.0 cm.             Depth: Approximately 2.0 cm.         -   Petals.—Quantity: Approximately 9 to 10 petals and 2 to 3             irregularly shaped petaloids per flower. Shape: Obovate.             Appearance: Matte. Margin: Entire. Apex: Obtuse. Base:             Attenuate. Length of upper petals: Approximately 2.6 cm.             Width of upper petals: Approximately 2.0 cm to 2.7 cm.             Length of lower petals: Approximately 2.5 cm. Width of lower             petals: Approximately 1.3 cm to 2.3 cm. Texture of upper and             lower surfaces: Glabrous. Color of upper surface of upper             petals when fully open: 44A with venation of 46A at base.             Color of lower surface of upper petals when fully open: 40A             with venation of 71A at base. Color of upper surface of             lower petals when fully open: 44A. Color of lower surface of             lower petals when fully open: 40B to 40C.         -   Calyx.—Shape: 5-pointed star. Diameter: Approximately 2.2             cm.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Approximately 5, fused at base.             Shape: Lanceolate. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acuminate. Length             of upper sepal: Approximately 1.1 cm. Width of upper sepal:             Approximately 4.0 mm. Length of lower sepals: Approximately             1.2 cm. Width of lower sepals: Approximately 3.0 mm. Texture             of upper surface: Glabrous. Texture of lower surface:             Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and             nonglandular hairs. Gland color: 25D and colorless,             transparent. Color of upper and lower surfaces: 146B tinted             with 187A at base.         -   Pedicel.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: Acute angle to peduncle.             Length: Approximately 3.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately             2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of             glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: 25D and             colorless, transparent. Color: 146A with a heavy overlay of             187A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity of mature stamens:             Approximately 6 to 7 per flower. Anther shape: Oblong.             Anther length: Approximately 2.0 mm. Anther color: 71B.             Filament length: Approximately 7.0 mm. Filament color:             NN155D with an overlay of 40A and 71A. Pollen amount:             Moderate. Pollen color: 32A. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity: 1             per flower. Pistil length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Stigma             shape: 5-branched. Stigma length: Approximately 2.0 mm.             Stigma color: 187A. Style length: Approximately 3.0 mm.             Style color: 187B. Ovary length: Approximately 5.0 mm. Ovary             texture: Densely pubescent. Ovary color: 145A tinted with             187A. -   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has     been observed. -   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests     common to Geranium has not been observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Tospresilreim’, substantially as herein illustrated and described. 